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Cat 309 vs Takeuchi TB290- Mulching and Light Forestry
- Thread starter labradorguy
- Start date
labradorguy
Well-Known Member
309s are all made in Georgia as far as I know.
I was getting a 310, but I just can't do it now. A man either has principles or he doesn't. I do not support China. I think they are fracking evil and hellbent on world domination. I just can't make myself do this even though it's the last machine the dealer is getting in until Q1 2022. I'm in a bind... I have 60k in work lined up for the 310 in November and now this.... I may go back to a Tak made in Japan. That big one they have looks solid as a rock.
I was getting a 310, but I just can't do it now. A man either has principles or he doesn't. I do not support China. I think they are fracking evil and hellbent on world domination. I just can't make myself do this even though it's the last machine the dealer is getting in until Q1 2022. I'm in a bind... I have 60k in work lined up for the 310 in November and now this.... I may go back to a Tak made in Japan. That big one they have looks solid as a rock.
labradorguy
Well-Known Member
ALL 310s are made in Chyna now.
labradorguy
Well-Known Member
309 has some stability issues with the one ram. Also runs out of steam on slopes. Cat is already looking at changes for it. I think I'm going bigger but not what I wanted to do. They have a 315 GC coming in. I'll have to figure out some logistics and steel tracks in the burbs, but other than that, those are nice machines.
About 25k
About 25k
you can get the steel tracks with rubber add on pads for the 315
labradorguy
Well-Known Member
I guess the Chinese have to take their cut....
labradorguy
Well-Known Member
Steel tracks with rubber add on pads for the 315 from Cat?
yes. I don’t know if the machine can be ordered as such from Cat because I’m not a salesman with access to those option lists BUT as a dealer mechanic I have installed several sets of the rubber pad steel tracks on 315 size machines before they were delivered to customers. In each case I removed factory sets. Talk to the sales rep and see your options. These track assemblies are in the service manual literature online, which is where I’ve found replacement pads and nuts for them.
it’s the kind of tracks that are steel tracks but instead of the middle grouser on each shoe there is a replaceable rubber pad. It hinges in on one side via hooks into holes and then bolts to the other side for securement.
And if you are custom ordering it see if you can get plumbed in case drain without having to do it via the add on kit. I have seen a few machines with a factory hardline setup for case drain.
n
labradorguy
Well-Known Member
Just found out 315 is not going to be here until Q1 2022. Frack.
I've got a ton of work lined up for it next month.
They have be able to snag a 313
Mechanic for JD? Cat?
I've got a ton of work lined up for it next month.
They have be able to snag a 313
Mechanic for JD? Cat?
Cat
why don’t you rent until exactly what you want for sure can get here? I know rental isn’t the cheapest but settling and changing your mind later also isn’t cheap
labradorguy
Well-Known Member
That's a good idea. I know around here rental stuff isn't even available and the last time I checked they forbid you to put a mulcher on the rentals, but it may have changed. I'll make a call on Monday. Thanks.
cuttin edge
Senior Member
Nice looking machine. We put the rubber add on on our 308. So far so good. We put a mulching head on our 235 linkbelt, and it hasn't stopped all summer. Funny enough, the operator said, the odd hidden fence, or barbed wire, is not as hard to remove as a junk of carpet
labradorguy
Well-Known Member
How are you liking the 309?
I like it a lot, we haven’t used it a ton, but no issues other than a missing o ring for a hose. I used a brush cutter a little and the dedicated pump is great for that. No loss of hyd flow when swinging ect. What did you end up getting?